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WashingtonHB 22192025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Enhancing the operational efficiency of child care providers.

Sponsored By: Lillian Ortiz-Self (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger safety rules for child care

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington requires shared licensing standards for child care and its early childhood education and assistance program. Standards must account for family providers, outdoor nature-based care, and centers, with Early Achievers standards guiding quality in participating programs. All licensed premises must be free of high-potency synthetic opioids, drug-making equipment, and drug paraphernalia. Washington must immediately suspend licenses for zero-tolerance violations involving imminent physical harm, including those opioids or drug-making equipment in licensed spaces. Private-school early learning programs without state subsidies must meet required health, safety, and school-readiness standards. The state cannot dictate their specific educational or other programs; programs receiving state subsidies are excepted from that protection. The licensing section does not create a new right to bring a private lawsuit.

Child care workers can skip repeat orientation

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington must waive repeat preservice orientation for qualifying child care providers and workers. They must have completed the applicable orientation less than five years earlier. The orientation content and licensing process must not have changed substantially. They must have had no break in service as a licensed provider or worker in a licensed child care facility.

Child care centers get scheduling flexibility

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington child care centers can combine age groups for up to 2.5 hours daily. Centers set the schedule. The limit rises to four hours when at least 90 minutes are reserved for staff meal and rest breaks. Centers must keep the group-size limit and staff-to-child ratio required for the youngest child in the group.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lillian Ortiz-Self

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

  • Carolyn Eslick

    Republican • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Callan

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Jurado Stonier

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Democratic • House

  • Shelley Kloba

    Democratic • House

  • Steve Bergquist

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 211 • No: 29

House vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 67 • No: 28 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/16/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 95 • No: 1 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/17/2026House

  2. Chapter 82, 2026 Laws.

    3/17/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/17/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 67; nays, 28; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/9/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/3/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    3/3/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/27/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  14. EDU - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/25/2026House

  15. First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.

    2/18/2026House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/16/2026House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/16/2026House

  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/16/2026House

  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/16/2026House

  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/6/2026House

  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/27/2026House

  22. ELHS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/23/2026House

  23. ELHS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/23/2026House

  24. First reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.

    1/12/2026House

  25. Prefiled for introduction.

    12/30/2025House

Bill Text

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